Tampa help?

a good "girly" automatic would be a .380 / as for revolvers a .38 should not be too much. I have shot a few 380's that were pretty snappy w/recoil though. most 380's use the "blowback" type slide action which accounts for that "snappy" feel. "locked-breech" type slide action delivers a milder recoil but they cost a lot more. best advice is to go to a range where they allow you to try a gun before purchase. Colt Mustang is a locked-breech 380 but they cost around $600, so if a blowback is not too snappy for you, a new one can be found for under $300. any 380 you buy will not be difficult to operate the slide

A bit of advice if you're having trouble operating the slide on a pistol is to hold the gun in your strong hand & grip the slide from above with all the fingers of your off hand, then moving both hands at once to move the slide. The usual suggestion for a "girlie gun" that I've heard is a snubnose revolver chambered for either .357 Magnum or .38 Special +P. The revolver is suggested if you aren't comfortable with taking a gun apart for cleaning. If you want a small auto that packs a disproportinate amount of punch for their size, the Kel-Tecs are a pretty good choice.

Haven't bought retail in Tampa, but for selection you HAVE to check out Shoot Straight off of 301 near the fairgrounds, GI-MUNGOUS amount of weapons! They might deal off list a little if you ask for the floor sup. I tried the two large dealers in Pinellas, Knights and "something" Sporting goods, both places were high priced and won't deal off sticker. Maybe some of the smaller shops? I looked in 2nd Amendment Armory in Brandon, very small place but they seemed pretty cool. Had a mix of new, used, consignment. I would also deal with Shoot Straight on Dale Mabry. Not much stock, but can order at fair prices and have consignment too. Also go to University Gun & Pawn off 275 & USF, on Fletcher I think.

If you REALLY have to get good prices, try Bud's Gun shop online, or go to a gunshow and deal. Shoot Straight has HUGE displays at the shows and you CAN get them to deal way off, unlike the retail store. You can end with and out the door price similar to Bud's online.

I went to Shoot Straight a few weeks ago to buy a Stag Arms Ar-15. The rifle was priced 200 over MSRP. I asked if they would be willing to deal and they said no. I went to a different shop and got it for 100 below MSRP (not a great deal, but I had a really bad case of the "I wants"). All of thier guns are marked MSRP or higher. That is thier right, but it is also my right not to to buy from them.

I always go to Coles in Clearwater (on Sunset Pt). They've got a HUGE selection, very good prices, and a lot of knowledge. And if you don't see what you want, Taso (the owner) will order it for you.

Also, when buying ANY gun, you will always have a little more room to negotiate price if you pay cash.

Site to Visit

Sunny-

Before you do any shopping, check out this site for some very helpful tips, especially regarding a technique for racking the slide.

www.corneredcat.com

I believe the author is a moderator on THR. She has some great information that is helpful to everyone and especially female shooters.

Of the Tampa stores I've purchased at, University Gun & Pawn has a good selection and fair prices. Shoot Straight does have a great selection, sticker prices seemed high but I've never bought there. Knights in Clearwater is my preferred range. My favorite gun store is over in Dunnedin. John is the owner, he'll take good care of you. www.floridasurvivalist.com

I'd also recommend that you contact this guy: www.staysafestreets.com

He and his wife do a very nice job of training and coaching to help you select and operate the right pistol for your needs. He works out of Knights. My wife had never even touched a gun and "the Major" took her through her first 300 rounds with a Sig 239. He holds regularly scheduled classes at Knights, and is also available for private lessons. I have no connection to him other than being a satisfied customer. Knights has a good selection of rentals for you to try out and there's a link to their store on the staysafe website. Good luck

Get thee to Wain Roberts in Pinellas Park.
Place is run by Pam, a lady shooter.
Tell her I sent you.
If nothing else it's going to be very informative.

AFS

Second vote for Cole's. Tass, the Mad Greek who bought the business from Jerry a couple of years ago, finally got his next-door addition opened and has a very good selection of new and used guns.

Just come out of Tampa across the Courtney-Campbell causeway to US 19, go north on 19 to Sunset Point Road turn left and take it down to Douglas Avenue. About five traffic lights.

My good friend has been raving about this place for a LONG time

" Deer Hunter Guns 2797 Gulf To Bay Blvd Clearwater, FL (727) 724-9038"

I trust him.

I second AFS' notion. See Pam, she will help you tremendously.

My niece is about 110 lbs, and tiny. She shot a 380 with no problems.
Her sister is just a tad bigger, shoots and carries one of three 1911 types.
Work out the arms and hands a bit, just cause you are a Girly-Girl doesn't mean you can't work a bigger gun.

I'll second the Wain Roberts. I bought there several times and had a great experience.

I also shop at a place in Pacso County (where I live) in Hudson called Special Ops shops. Very good staff there. They also have a gun range and they are full fledged gunsmiths. Prices are preyty decent. They have also been in business 20+ years.

As for the issue with a slide, that is just a matter of strenght. It isn't just women with that problem, my brother (who is no sissy or weakling) has a very hard time with racking the slide. This is a problem than can be overcome in one month. There is no reason to avoid auto for the rest of your life:

Remember, the mothion is sideways. People end up applying pressure up and down and that won't work. Then the get the giggles becasue they can't do it and they lose their concentration. I watch my brother do this and it drives me crazy.

A gun is a real thing. It is not a remote. It's not a car. It is a machine with lots of metal parts being held in place by powerful springs. You have to show it respect, treat it firmly, not gingerly. You can do it.

Just practice with the gun unloaded. Remember to keep you finger away fron the trigger. Hold the weapon as tight as you can. When yo get the slide foward (as far as you can) old the frame tight but let the slide go. Yo do not have to ride the slide foward, nor should you. Get the slide back, hold tight on the frame, let the slide go.

In a month you wil be able to rack any slide on any gun.

Keep up the good work

Joe

Workingstiff is correct about the link he posted:
www.corneredcat.com
which is operated by a THR moderator, Pax. I hope she reads and responds to this thread.

My wife couldn't rack a slide either. She has a bit of arthritis.
Well, she picked out a small semi-auto, the Beretta Tomcat (attached picture) which has a tip up barrel.
This might work for you.
It's actually a nice little shooter.

I'm not in the Tampa area, so can't help you with a shop recommendation...sorry!

Hey Joe the Redneck,
Could you pleas tell me where that gunshop is in Hudson. I can't find it in the phone book.
Thanks,
C R Charlie

its on New York Ave. I accidently drove past it last weekend driving back from the Hernando Sportsmans Club to Trinity. It's between 19 and Little Road, on the N side of the road.

Sunnydaze, next weekend is the Suncoast gun show at the fairgrounds. Best bet is to go there, and handle a lot of guns. Lots of vendors that will give you a great deal there. Used guns available. You might want to get together with a knowledgeable person to go with if possible.
I always recommend a revolver for a first gun. They are less complicated, and more likely reliable out of the box generally than a semi. IMO.
Since it is for home protection, or even a "car" gun, I recommend a 4 inch with adjustable sights. A .357/.38 Smith and Wesson would be my choice for a revolver. A revolver is a "pick it up and pull the trigger" gun. Because of the long trigger pull with an uncocked hammer, no other safety mechanism is required. Semis often have safety (or lack of safety) features that make them more likely to fire unintentionally. Lots of semi fans will tell you that it is just poor safety on the part of the shooter. Not true often. If one wants a semi, I would advise one with a double action first shot, and decocking mechanism. That will make it handle similar to a revolver for first shot. Much more safe. IMO.
The revolver will shoot more accurately than most semis, and with adjustable sights, you can adjust impact that will change with different ammo.
A larger 4 in revolver will have less felt recoil and will be fun to learn to shoot with.
No way should you get one of the "cute" little guns. They kick harder and are not as much fun to shoot, especially for a beginner. Home defense doesn't require "small" or small caliber.

Along the lines of what others are saying, I would suggest a Bersa Thunder .380 if you were ever going to carry it. The regular one, though, not the "concealed carry" model. I've heard of people having problems with the smaller one, not to mention the fact that the standard is already just 20 oz. and lighter will just give it more kick. The regular Tunder .380 gets great reviews and is extremely reliable. Everybody who has has one loves it, and every decent-sized gun shop carries them. They go for $199 to $250 online, and even gun shops with bad prices will have them under $300.

But you just said for home protection, so I would seriously consider getting a 20 gauge shotgun instead of a handgun. A Mossberg 20ga pump gun will run you about $150 - $250.

University Gun and Pawn (Fletcher and 22nd St) is a good place to check for selection. They're the biggest dealer I've been to locally.

Empire Gun (on Florida Ave, S of Fowler, W side of road) is where I go lately. They will deal straight with you. I can't complain about one single thing since I've been shopping there, and I'm Picky.


9mm would be appropriate I think. My wife is 125lbs and has tendonitis and she has no problem shooting any of my 9mms. I would like something beefier for home defense though.

Maybe one of the pistol caliber carbines like the Berretta? Maybe a carbine in .223 like a Mini 14 or a Kel Tec (unless you feel like shelling out for an AR). Very little recoil in any of them. Easy to learn on and to teach and fun to shoot.

My good friend has been raving about this place for a LONG time

" Deer Hunter Guns 2797 Gulf To Bay Blvd Clearwater, FL (727) 724-9038"

I trust him.

Click to expand...

I went there yesterday for the first time. I have lived here ten years and never knew it was there. The old men that work there could not have been more accomodating. The first thing they did when I walked in was offer me a cup of coffee. They treated me as if I actually worked there and with the upmost respect. I was looking over the counter at the guns on the rack and the guy told me " Help yourself, come on back and take a look."
me:" I can go behind the counter?" I was a little hesitant because I thought I had heard him wrong.
man:" Yeah.... Come on over and pick'm up. Look at 'em."

They couldn't have been cooler. The place is small but they have a little of everything. I too am looking for an AR and they had some but not the one I'm looking for. But none the less their attitude towards the customers I've never seen in a gun shop before.

Another shop is on US 19 in Tarpon Springs. TAKE AIM GUNS. Very nice shop and they too are really easy to deal with and attentive. They have alot of stock in store and can order anything you want. The AR I'm looking for is any model Bushmaster. They have four or so but he said he could order me a STAG Model 2 (I think) for $920. He's about the only gun shop I've bought from besides Bill Jackson which is also good.

I'm just south of you, but I have also heard that Wain Roberts is a good shop also. The owner (I think) is an active poster on Florida Shooter's Network, and is a woman herself too so she should be able to help you select the right gun for you.

Personally I would avoid Shoot Straight, yes they have a large selection, but they are very overpriced, and the deals you will get is hit or miss. If they right manager is on duty you will get a good deal, but some of the managers are less inclined to deal.

The guys at Deer Hunter are great, I stop in there occasionally on my lunch break when i'm out that way, and on Fridays they order a bunch of pizzas and all the regulars come in to hang out and eat, and they always offer to everybody. They're always helpful and don't care if you're in there just to molest...eerrrr handle guns. Their prices seem pretty good too. But I get the Crazy Greek discount at Coles....so its hard to go elsewhere.

sunnydaze, are you there?

Anyone think its wierd that the OP has not been back to ask a single follow up question, or is it just me? One post, on a Saterday morning, and thats it?

"Anyone think its wierd that the OP has not been back to ask a single follow up question, or is it just me? One post, on a Saterday morning, and thats it?"

That was her first post on THR. She may not realize how quickly all of us gallants will respond to a female with a question about guns.

On the topic, I agree with Gunpacker that a revolver is probably her best bet. If money was no object and she had to have an autoloader, I'd recommend the SA EMP - easy to rack the slide and 9mm is a lot better than .380. Pricey, though.